"It is time for Rooney to be selfish and start thinking just about himself. And that, I really regret to say, means his retirement from international football.

"I don't say this in the belief that he is no longer good enough for England - he is. But he is 30 now and captaining your club and country, satisfying the demand to play at the top level for both, gets harder."

New England boss Sam Allardyce said yesterday that Rooney would remain his skipper.

Big Sam said: "You would hope the captain would make a decision on the pitch if he felt it needed to [be made]. For me, that's the captain's role. It's a big responsibility at club level and even more so at international level. First and foremost lead by example.

"It's all about the personality. Can you handle the responsibility of being captain? I think he [Rooney] has enjoyed the responsibility. Some players don't want that responsibility."

New England boss Sam Allardcye says he will now play Wayne Rooney in midfield

The manager said "Wayne's position has changed at Manchester United and that is where I will play him."

Rooney has made 115 appearances for the Three Lions - if he plays against Slovakia on Sunday in the opening 2018 World Cup qualifier he will break David Beckham's record for the country's most capped outfield player. He has netted a record 53 goals for England.